Staff Writer
The Animal Flower Cave is an extraordinary natural wonder that showcases the beauty and diversity of Barbados
Are you looking for an amazing adventure in Barbados? Do you want to explore a unique and beautiful sea cave that is home to colorful sea anemones? If you answered yes, then you should visit the Animal Flower Cave, one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island!
The Animal Flower Cave is located under the cliffs at North Point, the northernmost tip of Barbados. It is the only accessible sea cave on the island, and it offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The cave was discovered by its seaward entrance in 1780 by two English explorers, and it has been attracting visitors ever since.
The cave is named after the sea anemones that live in the pools of water inside the cave. These creatures look like flowers, but they are actually animals that can sting and paralyze their prey. They are also known as animal flowers, and they come in different colors and sizes. You can see them up close and touch them gently, but be careful not to disturb them too much.
To enter the cave, you have to descend a coral staircase that was built in 1912. The staircase leads you to an opening in the roof of the cave, which was once a blowhole. The cave has a coral floor that is estimated to be about 400,000 to 500,000 years old, and it has several chambers and windows that let in natural light. It is about six feet above the high water mark, but it was formed at sea level. This means that Barbados is rising at a rate of one inch per 1000 years.
One of the highlights of the cave is the swimming pool, a chamber that has a clear and calm pool of water that invites you to take a dip. The pool is not very deep, but it is refreshing and relaxing. You can swim in the pool or just sit on the rocks and enjoy the view of the ocean through the windows. On calm days, you can also swim outside the cave and see more of the marine life and coral formations.
The Animal Flower Cave is more than just a sea cave. It is also a place where you can enjoy delicious food and drinks at the clifftop restaurant that overlooks the ocean. The restaurant serves authentic Barbadian cuisine, such as flying fish, cou-cou, macaroni pie, and breadfruit tacos. You can also try some of their signature cocktails, such as rum punch, mojito, or animal flower punch.
So, if you are looking for a memorable day out in Barbados, don’t miss the chance to visit the Animal Flower Cave. It is a place where you can discover the wonders of nature, have fun in the water, and savor some of the best food and drinks on the island. It is a place where you can feel like you are at the edge of the world.
Photo credit: Animal Flower Cave
